Office of Investigations

Our highest priority is investigating threats against Treasury employees and facilities. These efforts are critical in ensuring safety for the Department and require prompt attention and coordination with Federal, State, and local authorities.

Criminal and Serious Treasury Employee Misconduct

We investigate complaints involving alleged criminal and other serious misconduct by Treasury employees. We investigate allegations of the general crimes enumerated in Title 18 of the U.S. Code, other Federal crimes, alleged violations of the Ethics in Government Act, and allegations of serious misconduct prohibited by the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch. Several Treasury bureaus and offices have additional rules and regulations relating to ethical standards for their own employees, and we investigate complaints of alleged violations of these rules and regulations.

Cyber Threats Against Treasury Systems and Cyber Enabled Financial Crimes Fraud

We conduct investigations into the illicit removal of Treasury-protected information from Treasury systems, and cyber-enabled criminal activity impacting Treasury programs and operations, such as Business Email Compromise, Personal Email Compromise, and other schemes.

Identifying and Investigating Fraud Related to Pandemic Related Acts, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

We conduct inquiries and investigations of waste, fraud, and abuse related to Title V of the CARES Act, which established the Coronavirus Relief Fund for State, Local, and Tribal governments, U.S territories, and the District of Columbia. We also conduct investigations related to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Homeowner Assistance Fund, Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds, State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), Air Carrier Payroll Support Programs, Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services, Emergency Capital Investment Fund, and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Emergency Support.

Fraud Involving Treasury Contracts, Grants, Guarantees, and Federal Funds

We conduct investigations into allegations of fraud and other crimes involving Treasury contracts, grants, loan guarantees, and Federal funds. Such allegations often involve contractors, entities, and individuals who provide or seek to provide goods or services to the Department. We receive complaints alleging criminal or other misconduct from employees, contractors, members of the public, and Congress. We also investigate criminal activity associated with improper payments made due to false claims to the Treasury in relation to grant programs, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and pandemic programs.

Treasury Financial Programs and Operations Crime

We conduct and supervise criminal investigations related to Treasury financial programs and operations, including the issuance of licenses, payments and benefits, and oversight of U.S. financial institutions. We investigate criminal activity associated with improper payments made due to false claims to the Treasury and stolen, altered, counterfeit, and fraudulently obtained and/or redirected Treasury payments. We also investigate financial institution employee obstruction of the examination process and bank fraud, wire fraud, embezzlement, and other crimes affecting the oversight of Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) regulated financial institutions as well as the Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering program overseen by OCC and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).  

Investigating Fraud Related to Criminals Impersonating Treasury Agents and Employees

We conduct investigations into criminal activity associated with individuals who attempt to scam citizens by fraudulently purporting to be Treasury agents or employees. These matters have become more prevalent and require prompt coordination with Federal, State, and local authorities to protect the targets of the scams.

Investigating Fraud Related to Persons Representing Themselves as “Sovereign Citizens” Submitting Fictitious Financial Instruments to Treasury, Financial Institutions, Private Companies, and Citizens

We conduct investigations into criminal activity associated with individuals who attempt to scam the Treasury, financial institutions, private companies, and citizens by submitting fictitious financial instruments purporting to be issued by or drawn on the Treasury, or other counterfeit documents, to perpetrate a variety of fraud schemes.